Character Development

Last week we took a break from our E100 Bible reading programme, so that, for our all age service, we could link in with the topic the children have been looking at in their Sunday School classes. The children are currently looking at some of the letters in the New Testament that help to illustrate what it means to live as a follower of Jesus.

Last Sunday we looked at the little book of Philemon. This letter was written by Paul, in about AD 62, from prison, to a Christian in a place called Colosse. The letter begins with some encouragement for Philemon, before the challenge of the second half.

Paul begins by writing about the encouragement it is to hear about Philemon's love and faith. I wonder what Paul could write to you if he had been following your journey of faith over the past year or so. How has your character developed in that time? In what ways are you more like Jesus now, than 6 months ago? Think in terms of your character rather than things you do. Things like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. If you can't think of anything - what about asking someone you respect and trust to see what they've seen.

Failed

The really observant, regular visitors to this blog will have noticed that I have removed my list of books to read in 2010 from the right hand side of this page. And I can (not so) proudly report that I didn't manage to read a single one of them. I bought a couple of them, but they are still sitting on my bookcase - but they remain unread.

Not that I didn't read last year. I read quite a lot that was related to stuff happening at church. And I read a reasonable amount of fiction too.

So, not to be defeated, I have bought some more books with some outstanding book vouchers. And first on my list of books to read is Virtue Reborn by Tom Wright. I thought his previous book Surprised by Hope, which I must have read in 2009, was excellent, so I am looking forward to this book.

I'll let you know how I get on - feel free to ask if I've started it if you don't hear anything by March!

Send somebody else

Yesterday we saw how God wanted Moses to be the answer to his own prayers. God had heard the cries of the Israelites and he was concerned - but his plan was to send Moses (Exodus 3:10). I'm sure this was the last thing Moses' expected to hear when the creator of the universe showed up.

So Moses did what many of us do - he made excuses. He couldn't do it because he was no one special, because he didn't have the right gifts, because no one would listen to him - ultimately he wanted God simply to ask someone else to do it (Exodus 3:11-4:17).



How do we respond when God asks us to do something? How did you respond yesterday to the thought that God might want you to be the answer to your prayers? God has heard and his plan is to...send you!

Is our first response to make excuses as to why we can't do it. Who am I? I can't do it? What difference can I make? I don't have time? So and so - they're much more qualified. What if I mess it up? I'm not ready yet!

God promised to be with Moses (Exodus 3:12) and God promises to be with us. If God asks us to do something then God will make sure that we have all we need to do it. But being obedient to God involves faith - which involves risk - stepping into the unknown, going beyond our limits, doing things we've never done before...

But God is with us when we obey him and take a risk. Don't miss out by asking God to send someone else.

Be careful what you ask for

Only one post for the whole of January is not very good - so I'll double my tally by squeezing another post in on the last day of the month, and try to do better in February!

At church we have continued following the E100 Bible reading programme, looking at Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, two weeks ago, Joseph last week, and yesterday we looked at the first part of Moses' life - covering Exodus 1-14.

What are you passionate about? What are the issues that really get you going? What stories on the news really make you angry? What is the topic of conversation around the coffee table at work that turns you from being quiet, shy and retiring into a red faced, finger wagging, table banging, jumping up and down orator?

Maybe it is a global issue - such as trade justice; a national issue - such as cuts in local services; a local issue - such as the closing of a local children's centre.

Whatever it is, do you care enough to pray about it?

Moses was passionate about the oppression of his people - so much so that he killed an Egyptian who was beating an Israelite (Exodus 2:12). The people were crying out to God to save them from slavery and cruelty. And eventually God speaks to Moses and says to him, 'I have seen...I have heard...I am concerned...I have come to rescue...'

I wonder if Moses, in the midst of his fear, thought something along the lines of, 'about time...we've been waiting long enough...'?

But then horror of horrors - God reveals his plan to Moses. God says, 'I have seen...I have heard...I am concerned...I have come to rescue...so now, you go. I am sending you...'

What am I passionate about? What are you passionate about? Is God saying, 'Yes, I have heard and seen, yes I do care, and I'm going to send you to do something about it'.

Is God asking you to get involved and be a part of the answer to your own prayers?